Capuchin monkeys in Venezuela often rub a certain type of millipede into their fur. Secretions of these millipedes have been shown to contain two chemicals that are potent mosquito repellents, and mosquitoes carry parasites that debilitate the capuchins. The rubbing behavior is rare except during the rainy season, when mosquito populations are at their peak. Therefore, the monkeys probably rub the millipedes into their furbecause doing so helps protect them against mosquitoes.
Which of the following would it be most useful to determine in order to evaluate the argument?
A. Whether the two chemicals provide any protection for the millipedes against their own predators
B. Whether the type of millipede used by the capuchin monkeys in Venezuela is found in other parts of the world
C. Whether animals other than capuchins rub insects of any kind into their fur
D. Whether the only time the millipedes are readily available to the capuchins is during the rainy season
E. Whether secretions of any other insects accessible to the capuchins contain chemicals that repel mosquitoes
Can some one pls explain why can't E be the answer?
The answer is supposed to be D
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Capuchin Monkeys
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vivekvijayan
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Hi vivekvijayan,
Answer E is interesting information, to be sure, but we are looking for an answer that is MOST USEFUL to evaluate the argument. That is to say, we are looking for an answer that will help us to either REFUTE or ACCEPT the argument.
In this case, the argument is that the monkeys rub millipedes into their fur in order to protect against mosquitoes.
Answer E does not help us refute or accept the argument. Neither does A, B, or C. Answer D, on the other hand, does help us evaluate the argument. This is because the passage tells us that the monkeys mostly rub millipedes into their fur during the rainy season, when their are also lots of mosquitoes present. We have a relationship between rubbing millipedes into the fur during the rainy season AND many mosquitoes present during the rainy season, but what we don't know is whether or not the millipedes are present at other times of the year, i.e. NOT during the rainy season.
I hope this helps.
Answer E is interesting information, to be sure, but we are looking for an answer that is MOST USEFUL to evaluate the argument. That is to say, we are looking for an answer that will help us to either REFUTE or ACCEPT the argument.
In this case, the argument is that the monkeys rub millipedes into their fur in order to protect against mosquitoes.
Answer E does not help us refute or accept the argument. Neither does A, B, or C. Answer D, on the other hand, does help us evaluate the argument. This is because the passage tells us that the monkeys mostly rub millipedes into their fur during the rainy season, when their are also lots of mosquitoes present. We have a relationship between rubbing millipedes into the fur during the rainy season AND many mosquitoes present during the rainy season, but what we don't know is whether or not the millipedes are present at other times of the year, i.e. NOT during the rainy season.
I hope this helps.
